That’s how the popular theme song to Cheers goes — as if you aren’t already humming the tune to yourself.

The lyrics continue with “and they’re always glad you came. You wanna be where you can see our troubles are all the same.”

I believe the reason that song and that show still resonate with so many people today is because that fictional dinky bar in Boston was more than just a watering hole; it was community.

The regulars shared their lives with each other; it was place to contribute and belong for people who often found themselves alone.

Last week we evaluated Siloam Mission’s Building Futures employment-training program, which helps participants gain work skills while earning a full-time wage.

Sitting at the table with us was a former participant of the program, who is now employed and moving forward. His insights were invaluable.

It was clear to him that homelessness takes a huge toll on your motivation and capacity to function, including looking for a job.

When people told him to just go get a job, it would be like telling me to go run a marathon tomorrow.

I have no idea how to go about running a marathon. I don’t know how to pace, what to eat to prepare for it or if I’m even in shape to run the first kilometre.

Similarly, many folks who end up homeless simply aren’t prepared to go look for a job. They might not know how to write a resume, how to navigate a job interview, how to budget or how to prioritize time.

They might be dealing with significant barriers to employment and have heard the word “no” so many times that they are afraid of further failure.

Illness, depression, low self-esteem, mental health challenges — all of these things can change a person’s focus and what they think is important.

It can take a lot to get back to a place where employment is possible. It starts with community — a place where everybody knows your name.

We often tout the importance of housing and supports for people. By supports we usually mean professional supports, like social and mental health workers. While they are key, they don’t replace friends and family.

A job and a house are important, but neither is sustainable without a community that supports you. People need relationships that give them a reason to get out of bed.

Homelessness is a symptom of broken communities where people have lost their way and may not be welcomed anymore. In strong communities and families where people look after each other, there is less homelessness.

Helping the homeless move forward in Winnipeg is as much about building community as it is about housing them or providing professional supports.

It means places where people can belong and contribute.

Places where “people know, people are all the same … where everybody knows your name.”